how to remove old caulk from undermount kitchen sink

Develop the tech skills you need for work and life. How to Replace a Kitchen Sink - The Home Depot opens in a new windowCLICK or TAP HERE for the full use instructions. This versatile, easy-to-use acrylic-based sealant creates a flexible, watertight seal thats easy to paint or clean, making it perfect for bathtubs, showers, and sinks. As I started to get my bearing again after having the baby and settling into the house, the caulk color started bothering me more and more. If necessary, sand the area until it is smooth. This will make the caulk easier to remove and won't damage the surrounding area. Paintable in 30 minutes. Clean the surface using alcohol. Trace the sink's outline over the countertop. I don't know if it's improper maintenance or simply the wrong type of silicone caulking, but it can't be bleached or cleaned. To refresh your bathtubs look, or to prepare for installing a new one, youll have to strip away the old caulking. Though the process iscumbersome, you can likely remedy leaks on an undermountsink by yourself. To remove any dirt or grime, wash the counter and rim of the sink with soap and water. Step 1: Turn off the water supply. Here's how to do it: If the sink has more than two drain holes, install a support under each hole to prevent the sink from tipping. I don't find reaching over 4" painful, just not the best for me. Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. Removing old caulk from a sink can be a challenge, but luckily there are some simple methods to do it. Some pros like to use headlamps, while others prefer to place a portable lamp in a corner of the cabinet. It appears to be a very even and uniform seal. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Maintaining the Caulk on an Undermount Granite Kitchen Sink Loosen or Detach the Clips Beneath the Sink While somebody . In seven years, you'd think I'd have gotten one by now if one were coming. A Hercules Universal Sink Harness (Braxton Bragg) works equally well, but the drain configuration made the straps the better choice for that job. Tap the strainer (or garbage disposal mounting bracket) upward using a hammer to loosen the putty seal and then pull the assembly out of the drain opening from above. Find the right local pro on Houzz to kickstart your project. Use a brush to lightly scrub the caulking. IMPORTANT NOTE: Do NOT use chlorine bleach for this job if you have a stainless-steel sink! Approved. The difficulty level gets ratcheted up another notch if the sink is glued to a stone countertop with epoxy cement or construction adhesive. Just make sure that the old caulk is dry, clean, and oil and dust-free. You can then thoroughly dry your sink's edges and go back in with fresh caulk. Most people would never know if I didn't point it out. Removing paint from glazed or unglazed tiles is relatively easy. Peeling off that gunky old caulk can be a nasty job, but doing it right will result in a bathtub that looks sparkling fresh. Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 13 years.